A California man is facing multiple felony drug trafficking charges after a months-long investigation and sting operation led to the seizure of large amounts of illegal drugs from a residence in Caribou, the Maine Department of Public Safety announced Thursday.
The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) Aroostook County Task Force recently launched an investigation into a suspected drug trafficking operation occurring at a residence at 21 Fontaine Dr. in Caribou, the agency said.
During their investigation, MDEA agents conducted a controlled purchase of fentanyl from 40-year-old Jose Verdugo of Monrovia, California.
A controlled purchase, or controlled buy, is when a cooperating witness or undercover law enforcement officer purchases illegal items or a controlled substance from a criminal suspect.
Monrovia is a city in Los Angeles County, more than 3,000 miles away from Caribou — which boasts the nickname of the “most northeastern city in the United States.”
Verdugo was taken into custody on Tuesday, March 12, at the Fontaine Drive home in Caribou, and a search warrant was executed at the residence.
Over a pound of methamphetamine, approximately 446 Oxycodone 30 mg pills, and approximately 30 grams of fentanyl were seized during the search of the residence, MDEA said, valuing the total estimated street value of the drugs at over $60,000.
Verdugo was transported to the Aroostook County Jail and was charged with three Counts of Class A Aggravated Trafficking of Scheduled W Drugs, and one count of Class B Unlawful Trafficking of Scheduled W Drugs.
His bail was set at $30,000 in cash.
The Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office and Caribou Police Department assisted the MDEA in the arrest and execution of the search warrant.
“The MDEA stands committed to working with all federal, state, county, and local law enforcement partners in order to continue to identify and disrupt drug trafficking organizations who are attempting to distribute illicit drugs in the State of Maine,” the agency stated Thursday.
From coast to coast the Joe Biden family rules. Brings on the the drugs and dumb down our country.